Connecting and Monitoring Victron Equipment (via VE.Direct)

Applies to: IY-HUB2

Your Insytly IY-HUB2 is equipped with two expansion channels designed to communicate directly with Victron Energy products that have a VE.Direct port. This powerful integration allows you to pull rich, detailed data from your Victron power system (like a SmartShunt or MPPT Solar Controller) directly into your Insytly dashboard.

This guide explains how to correctly connect and troubleshoot this integration.

Crucial First Step: Configure Your Victron Equipment

Before you connect the IY-HUB2, it is essential that your Victron equipment is fully installed, configured, and operating correctly on its own.

• Follow Manufacturer Instructions: Use the official Victron manuals and the VictronConnect app to set up your SmartShunt, MPPT, or other VE.Direct device.

• Verify Operation: Ensure you can see accurate data from your Victron device within the VictronConnect app first.

• Importance: If the Victron equipment is not configured correctly before connecting it to Insytly, you will experience inaccurate or missing data on your Insytly platform.

Wiring Instructions

1. ⚠️ Power Down: For your safety, always fully power down the IY-HUB2 by disconnecting the 2-pin power loom before making any wiring changes.

2. Locate the VE.Direct Connectors: With your IY-HUB2, you will have received x2 VE.Direct connection cables in the box. Connect one end of the provided cable to the loom of the IY-HUB2. These connectors are labelled on the loom as VE1 (White/Black wires) and VE2 (White/Black wires). 

3. Connect to Victron Device: Connect the other end of the cable to the VE.Direct port on your Victron device.

4. Power Up: Once the connection is secure, you can reconnect the 2-pin power loom to your IY-HUB2.

What to Expect on Your Insytly Dashboard

After the IY-HUB2 completes its next reporting cycle, you should see new data points on your device dashboard (granted you have added the graphs to the dashboard), pulled directly from the connected Victron device. This can include (depending on the Victron product):

• Panel Voltage (V)

• Battery State of Charge (%)

• Main Current (A) flowing in or out of the battery

• Solar Yield (kWh) and Panel Power (W) from an MPPT controller

• And other valuable power system data.

Each of these data channels can be added to your device dashboards via the editing and adding of components. 

Troubleshooting VE.Direct Issues

If you are not seeing VE.Direct data, or the data appears inaccurate, follow these steps:

1. Check Physical Connections: Ensure the cable between the IY-HUB2 and the Victron device is securely plugged in at both ends and has no visible damage.

2. Verify Victron Device Status: Use the VictronConnect app to confirm that the Victron device itself is powered on and reporting data correctly on its own.

3. Confirm Victron Configuration: Double-check that the Victron device is properly configured for your specific battery bank and system. Incorrect settings in the Victron device will lead to incorrect data in Insytly.

4. Allow Time for Reporting: Wait for at least one full reporting cycle of your IY-HUB2 unit to pass before checking for the new data on the platform.